Prior authorizations are one of the most time-consuming parts of running a medical practice. They’re necessary for patient care and insurance compliance, but they often create delays and stress for both staff and patients. Many practices eventually reach a point where handling prior authorizations in-house no longer makes sense. That’s when it’s time to consider working with an outsource prior authorization company.
Here are seven clear signs your practice could benefit from outsourcing.
7 Signs You Need an Outsource Prior Authorization Company
1. Your Staff Is Overwhelmed
If your employees are letting tasks slip through the cracks, it’s a sign your team is stretched too thin. Prior authorizations can take hours each day, pulling staff away from other important tasks. Outsourcing transfers this workload to a dedicated team trained to handle approvals efficiently.
2. Patients Experience Delays in Care
When authorizations take too long, patients wait longer for treatments, tests, or medications. These delays can cause frustration and hurt your reputation. An outsource prior authorization company helps prevent bottlenecks. They do this by focusing exclusively on getting faster approvals.
3. You’re Seeing Too Many Denials
Even small errors in forms or missing documentation can lead to denials. When your team is overworked, mistakes are more likely. Outsourced professionals specialize in accuracy and know how to navigate payer requirements. This reduces rework and improves approval rates.
4. You’re Losing Time on Follow-Ups
Insurance companies often require multiple follow-ups to move approvals forward. For in-house staff, this means endless phone calls and time on hold. Outsourced teams are experienced in persistent follow-up, ensuring requests don’t get lost in the system. Plus, they have the time to do it without disrupting other workflows.
5. Your Cash Flow Is Slowing Down
Delays in authorizations often lead to delays in billing, and that affects your revenue. Outsourcing helps keep your revenue cycle moving by ensuring timely approvals. This allows procedures and claims to be billed promptly.
6. Recruiting and Training Are a Challenge
Hiring new employees to manage prior authorizations can be costly and time-consuming. Outsourcing eliminates that burden. Your outsourcing partner will handle hiring, training, and managing associates. You and your staff can focus on patient care instead of administrative tasks.
7. You Want More Predictable Costs
Employee turnover, training, and benefits all add to your overhead. Outsourcing gives you predictable costs and professional coverage without the expense of expanding your staff.
Why Outsourcing Prior Authorization Makes Sense
Outsourcing isn’t about replacing your staff. It’s about supporting them. By partnering with an outsource prior authorization company, you reduce overwhelm for your team. Employees that aren’t struggling to keep up perform better. And they have more time to truly listen to and partner with patients.
Oclinicals provides professional prior authorization services tailored to medical practices of all sizes. We handle hiring, training, and management so your team can focus on providing exceptional patient care.
Contact us today to learn how our prior authorization services can help your practice.